Support Us Button Widget

History of the Battle of Flowers

Learn about the origins of this city-wide holiday

SATXtoday: Battle of flowers parade royalty

Check out all of the Fiesta royalty during the Battle of Flowers parade.

Photo courtesy of Battle of Flowers Association, Javier Fernandez, and Jon Alonzo.

Ever wonder why San Antonians flock to the Battle of Flowers celebration every Fiesta? Most of the Alamo City is closed for the historic holiday allowing 550,000 people to attend the event. Origins can be traced back to 1891, making it one of the largest + oldest parades in the country.

The Battle of Flowers Association can be traced back to Ellen Maury Slayden, wife of Congressman James L. Slayden. Ellen wanted to commemorate the fallen heroes at the Battle of the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto.

With the help of J.S. Alexander and the San Antonio Club, they decorated horse drawn carriages + buggies with live flowers. The group met in front of the Alamo and threw flowers as the parade went by, and thus the annual parade was born.

Fast forward to 2024, you can expect:

  • Ticketed seating
  • Fiesta food and drinks
  • Colorful floats with Fiesta royalty towed by trucks and jeeps
  • Local + national marching bands, organizations, and businesses
More from SATXtoday
VIA has your voting transportation needs covered on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.
Altares, ofrendas, live music, and art installations. Find it all at Pearl this weekend.
Stay the night — you might just stay for the rest of your life.
The good vibes are coming to The RIM area.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 21 golf courses in San Antonio are sure to make for a good round.
From city employee political activity guidelines to raising the salary of city council members and the mayor, see what proposed changes are on the ballot.
We want to know — which River City restaurant or meal sparks nostalgia in your heart and belly, and why?
Check out images of the championship match between Kansas City Current and Gotham FC.
From a castle to a birdhouse, San Antonio is full of special places to stay that offer guests a break from traditional motels and hotels.